title: Prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress symptoms in utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center following the attacks of September 11, 2001.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent attention has begun to be focused on the effects of disaster recovery work on nonrescue workers. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and related symptoms in a population of utility workers deployed to the World Trade Center (WTC) site in the aftermath of 9/11.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utility workers deployed to the WTC site were screened at their place of employment between 10 and 34 months following the WTC attacks, utilizing both structured interviews and self-report measures. PTSD symptoms were assessed by the CAPS and the PCL; co-morbid disorders were also assessed. 2,960 individuals with complete CAPS and PCL data were included in the analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eight percent of participants had symptoms consistent with full PTSD, 9.3% with subthreshold PTSD, 6% with MDD, 3.5% with GAD, and 2.5% with panic disorder. Although risk factors included psychiatric and trauma history, 51% of individuals with probable PTSD had neither; subjective perception of threat to one's life was the best predictor of probable PTSD. Extent of exposure predicted 89% of PTSD cases in those without a psychiatric or trauma history, but only 67% of cases among those with both.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nonrescue workers deployed to a disaster site are at risk for PTSD and depression. Extent of exposure affected the most vulnerable workers differently than the least vulnerable ones. These results suggest that the relationship among predictors of PTSD may be different for different vulnerability groups, and underscore the importance of screening, education, and prevention programs for disaster workers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, 525 East 68th Street, New York, NY 10065, USA. juc2010@med.cornell.edu
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cukor
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wyka
authors.forename: Nimali
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jayasinghe
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Weathers
authors.forename: Cezar
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giosan
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Leck
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Spielman
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Crane
authors.forename: JoAnn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Difede
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016584:Panic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012306:Risk; D047851:September 11 Terrorist Attacks / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*